Agenda item

To consider the report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support and the Director of City Development which sets out the progress made in responding to the recommendations arising from the Scrutiny inquiry into Housing Mix.

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support and the Director of City Development submitted a report which set out the progress made in responding to the recommendations arising from the Scrutiny inquiry into Housing Mix.

The following representatives were in attendance:

-  Tim Hill, Chief Planning Officer

-  Martin Elliot, Group Manager, Policy and Plans

-  Councillor Richard Lewis, Executive Board Member

The following information was appended to the report:

-  NPPF Consultation Proposals Briefing, March 2018.

The key areas for discussion were:

·  Progress made in responding to recommendations arising from the Scrutiny Inquiry into Housing Mix.

·  The acknowledgement that planning has evolved and changed since the inquiry was undertaken, and there is therefore a need for a separate debate regarding the current situation.

·  The review of NPPF. The Board were advised that there may be changes to the definition of affordable housing and this may have an impact of viability. More advice will be provided once known.

·  The extent to which neighbourhood plans and forums are able to impact on housing mix, the overall levels of housing need across the city and the quality of development in neighbourhood areas. The Board were advised that the Government is still supportive of the development of neighbourhood plans. The Board felt however that the success of these plans will still need to be tested to ensure that they have value in planning terms.

·  Detail was sought regarding the proportion of 1-2 bedroom properties being built within outer-areas of Leeds in comparison to those within city-centre localities.

·  Clarity was sought in relation to undeveloped planning approvals which has a direct impact on 5 year land supply.

·  Bedroom numbers and the need for quality 2 bedroom starter homes and good quality homes for older people. The Board were advised that conversations are being had with Developers at pre-application stage regarding schemes and housing types, including houses that meet the needs of an aging or disabled population, including bungalows.

·  The disconnect between the housing desired by the Council and planning policy and what that can deliver.

·  The request for City Centre development to be reported separately to the rest of the City.(recommendation 8)

·  With regard to NPPF consultation, the Board understand that there is more than 20k planning permissions granted where development not started and 13k permissions going through the system. Which would if developed meet the 5 year land supply. It is felt that there needs a system where build out is required to be time limited, or where further planning permission is not granted until previous permissions are developed. The Board felt strongly that the current planning policy is skewed in favour of developers and this needs to change to bring greater balance and  sustainability into planning system.

The status of recommendations were agreed as follows:

·  Recommendation 1- Achieved

·  Recommendation 2- Achieved

·  Recommendation 3- Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring).

·  Recommendation 4- Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring).

·  Recommendation 5- Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring).

·  Recommendation 8 – Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring).

·  Recommendation 9- Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring).

·  Recommendation 10- Not fully implemented (Progress made acceptable. Continue monitoring).

RESOLVED- The Scrutiny Board (Infrastructure and Investment):

a)  Noted the information contained within the report of the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support and Director of City Development.

b)  Considered the written and verbal information provided by those in attendance.

c)  Approved the above recommendation statuses as above.

d) With reference to recommendation 2 (now achieved), the Board felt that the proposed changes to the NPPF and the standardization of methodology with regard to viability is still ongoing and significant, and therefore requested that a general update position be reported to the Scrutiny Board when progress is next reviewed.

e) That the views of the Scrutiny Board in response to the NPPF consultation be taken into consideration by the Director of City Development in the overall response to Government by Leeds City Council.